In this week's edition of Jym Shorts, Nate Johnson shares about the LifePoint disaster relief trip to North Carolina.

It was late on a Sunday night, while I was watching football, when I saw a Samaritan’s Purse commercial calling for volunteers to go to North Carolina to help those who suffered devastating loss from Hurricane Helene. I looked over to my wife and asked her, “What do you think about us going to North Carolina to help out?” Her immediate response was, “Absolutely, let’s go!” The next day I reached out to a couple from church that I knew who were active in missions and serve on the Missions Planning Team. I texted them the same question and their immediate response was a clear, “Yes, yes and yes.” And just like that, a plan was in motion. Within two weeks of hearing that Sunday night calling, twelve willing bodies were on the road to North Carolina. The devastation and need were daunting, but God.

As the plan began to form, there were a couple of hurdles to overcome. Samaritan’s Purse needed volunteers but couldn’t house additional volunteers and the trip needed funding. God had already provided a connection with a local family who could house our group of 12. He also laid it on the hearts of our congregation and donations started to come in. We thank God for the Lonas family, who could not only house us, but also had connections through their church, Samaritan’s Purse and their medical practice. They were able to help coordinate our week of service and giving.

Our team’s first day was spent serving with Samaritan’s Purse. We helped clean out a home that had been impacted by a mudslide. Two of the bedrooms in this home were filled with four feet of mud. It was back-breaking work in a wet and slippery space with a constant drizzle of rain adding to the dampness. We used shovels and five-gallon buckets to remove the mud. We were able to clear out the mud, close up the walls and roof, and crafted a gutter system out of a tarp to help keep the water out in attempt to allow the house to dry out.

The following three days were spent working at the home of a young married couple (Amber and Josh) and their three small children. The home was close to 100 years old, was in need of major attention prior to the hurricane, and was in such a condition that most of us would never want to live there. The hurricane made the situation worse and the three boys were suffering with respiratory issues from mold that was growing inside the home. Our goal was to get the home watertight and cleaned up. It was a tall task but God made a way. Although we couldn’t get everything done that we had hoped to, I was able to walk Amber through continuing the project once we were gone. Her husband Josh works in construction and should be able to complete the tasks. Before we left on the third day of work, we prayed with Amber and her boys and gave them a Bible signed by our team. In the days we were there, God gave us opportunities to share his love and hope with a family who desperately needs him.

Our team (Greg & Dawn Meadows, Joe Seip, Matthew Spray, Jamie Piper, Bob & Phyllis Schlageter, Andy & Josh Gugle, Ethan Wysong and Nate & Janet Johnson) greatly appreciate you giving us the opportunity to serve. We couldn’t have gone on this trip without your prayers and many donations, which allowed us to provide the following materials:



• $4,000 of building materials
• 4 Generators
• 5 Propane heaters, adaptors and 4 tanks of propane
• 40 Children’s coats
• 40 Blankets
• Children’s clothing
• Cleaning items
• Various hygiene products
• Fuel for power tools
• Gas to and from NC
• Breakfast, sack lunches and dinners for volunteers
• Team t-shirt and sweatshirt

We faced many obstacles during the week but God brought us all through it, healthy and strong, and we praise him for allowing us to be his hands and feet.

Check out the video link to see all that God allowed us to accomplish in North Carolina.

-Nate Johnson

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